Records that survive
The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA) keeps microfilm of every county's records. These are the years its inventory lists for Knox County's most-used records. Gaps are common, and the full microfilm guide lists every roll.
Most-used records on microfilm
- Marriages1800-2009
- Deeds1801-2010
- Will books1803-1986
- County court order books1800-2008
- Civil cases1800-1986
- Criminal cases1880-1977
- Birth and death registerssome years, 1852–1910
Search KDLA's full microfilm guide
Source: KDLA County Records Inventory. Counties registered births and deaths only in scattered years between 1852 and 1910; statewide registration began in 1911.
Where to find the records
- Find Knox County's official website
We haven't checked this county's website yet, so this opens a web search. Look for an address ending in .gov, then find the county clerk's office and the circuit court clerk's office.
- The county clerk's office
Kentucky county clerks record deeds, issue marriage licenses and record wills. Many offices hold their books from the county's beginning, unless they were lost in a courthouse disaster.
- The circuit court clerk's office
Civil and criminal case files. Many older case files have been transferred to KDLA in Frankfort.
- KDLA Microfilm Guidefree
Every roll of county records held at the Kentucky State Archives in Frankfort, searchable by county, office, record type and date.
- KDLA: County Courthouse Disasters in Kentuckyfree
The years of known courthouse fires and other disasters for every county.
- FamilySearch Catalogfree
Search by place for "Kentucky, Knox" to find filmed and digitized records, many viewable free online with a FamilySearch account.
Offices change their hours and access rules; call before you visit.
Boundaries and parent counties
Formed from: Lincoln County
Check the parent county for earlier records: Lincoln County
Later formed partly from Knox County: Bell County, Clay County, Harlan County, Laurel County, Rockcastle County, Whitley County
Records stay with the county that created them. If your ancestor lived here before 1800, search the parent county. The Atlas of Historical County Boundaries shows each boundary change.
Research tip
Kentucky's county court order books cover far more than lawsuits: they appoint guardians and road overseers, settle estates and record much of a county's daily business. Read them year by year for your ancestor's name.